July's Untold Stories is going to look at those who help keep our history alive by collecting Las Vegas ephemera.  From postcards to menus to casino chips, these guys are helping to preserve a very vital piece of our collective memory.

It started as a small hobby that over the years has grown in size.  But without them, many of these pieces would be lost for good.

Please join us and panelists:

Carey Burke

Robert Stoldal

and others as we talk about the hows and whys of their collections and why those collections are so important.

There will be copies of "Las Vegas: 1905-1965", the history book that Carey Burke and I did utilizing a great deal of his postcard collection, will be on sale before and after the panel.  Carey and I will be happy to autograph copies.

Thursday, July 2nd

6:30 pm

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

Admission is $12

It should be a fun evening of history and the panelists are bringing items from their collections as well!

We hope to see you there!

Pete Findlay Oldsmobile

On Thursday, June 4th, Untold Stories will look at Architecture in Las Vegas.  Most people tend to think that Las Vegas has very bland architecture with just cookie cutter type homes and McOffices.  But our past (and present) is filled with wonderous examples of soaring architecture and many of these wonderful buildings are still standing, though they may be harder to see these days buried behind new facades.

Panelists include:

Architect Eric Strain of Assemblage Studios

Karen Zick Goff, daughter of architect Walter Zick (who designed the Mint Hotel)

Brian "Buzz" Leming, neon designer

Check back as other panelists are added to the list!

Untold Stories

The Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

Thursday, June 4th

6:30 pm

Admission is $12

Thanks to RoadsidePictures (Allen Sandquist) for the Pete Findlay photo.

Our friends at the Nevada State Museum will be hosting a book signing for my new book, Las Vegas in Postcards: 1905-1965 on Friday evening, May 8th.

My co-authors Carey Burke will be there and there is the possibility that Allen Sandquist will be joining us as well.

The book-signing reception begins at 5:30 pm

At 6:30 that evening, Dennis McBride will moderate a talk with us on how the book came about.

We hope you will join us for a fun-filled evening!

Friday, May 8th

Nevada State Museum

700 Twin Lakes Dr

Lorenzi Park

5:30 pm  Booksigning/Reception

6:30 pm  Discussion

On Thursday, May 7th, we are taking a slight break from discussing Las Vegas History with Untold Stories.  May is Historical Preservation Month in Nevada and we are taking that opportunity to turn the spotlight on Cultural Tourism.

We will be talking about what is Cultural Tourism, what role does it currently play in Las Vegas, how can that role be expanded and how can it be marketed not only to tourists but more importantly the local population to help increase the role that history does play, every day throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Our panelists include:

Brian Paco Alvarez - local historian and curator of the Las Vegas News Bureau

Marilyn Gillespie, Executive Director, Natural History Museum

Aaron Metcalf - curator at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Courtney Mooney - local historian and the Preservation Officer for the City of Las Vegas

Remember- Untold Stories now starts at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, May 7th

6:30 pm

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

Admission is $12

Last year, one of our most successful "Untold Stories" programs was on the history of Fremont Street.

On April 2nd, we will be have a new group of panelists covering More Fremont Street History because the history of the street is just too big to cover in one session.

I am working on putting a panel together.  Paul Carson, who knows a great deal about the early history of Fremont Street will be on hand to talk about the history of the Railroad depots and the El Portal Theater.

In the next few days I will be adding the other panelists'  names here as well.

So check back for more updates.

One scheduling note:

Beginning April 2nd, "Untold Stories" will begin at 6:30 pm.

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

Admission is $12